Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Yes it's true! We have recently been featured in the July issue of Better Homes and Gardens magazine. On page 82 of this magazine you can find Indoor Inspirations on how to Relax with Sink-In-Style. On this page the magazine features four items.

Our item is featured as number four on this page. This item has classic charm and is a perfect accessory to a vintage style bathroom. The item is a Roll Rim clawfoot tub with a british telephone faucet. You can find any of these products on our website.

The next item we will discuss is a Fuego Modular furniture cabinet. With this piece you can find the right combination of drawers, cabinets, and shelves to fit your own personal needs. This item has a tremendous amount of functionality because you can mix and match these pieces to achieve any look you want. You can place the drawers side by side to create a bench or stacked to create a tower unit (as shown in this picture). The prices range from $14.99-$89.99

The third item is a Diamond wicker chair with a cushion. The great way to offset white cabinetry is to use woven pieces that water can't damage. You can even order a love seat designed in the same way. All pieces are available in brown or white wicker.

The last item is a multi-purpose indoor and outdoor Finesse rug. The best place for this type of rug is in the bathroom because it is a good choice for high-traffic areas. This item comes in pewter, black, bleu, cranberry, coffee, and terra cotta.

Monday, July 30, 2007

As you know throughout this blog we like to periodically update you on our community giving program. Our next charitable giving program was the WWII weekend in Reading, PA. This event took place from Friday, June 1st to Sunday, June 3rd, 2007. My company, Vintage Tub and Bath, was a sponsor at this event.

The WWII adult tickets were priced at $16.00, children 6-12 were $7.00 and children 5 and under attended the event for free.

What does the WWII Memorial Reenactment have?

You can see more than 1,000 WWII military and civilian re-enactors and dozens of combat and support units, representing many nations.See up to 200 military vehicles, from motorcycles to Jeeps to tanks - the biggest gathering in the country. This year the tanks and artillery pieces were fired.

You also get to see live air-shows and home front displays.

It was great to be a sponsor at this event and show our support for the veterans. If you want to learn how to be a sponsor you can click on this link. If you just wish to support by attending the event you can look forward to the 18th annual WWII reenactment from June 6-8th in 2008.

Thursday, July 26, 2007

I wanted to find a site that explained how to install a pedestal sink in terms that I actually understand. I am not a handy person and I love it when I can find sites that use easy to understand terms and videos. And viola.' I did. It's called DIY for (Do-It-Yourself.com) However, it is best to use a plumbing expert to install your sink it's still fun to try it yourself.

The pedestal sink is broken down into two parts. The base (the stand) and the sink. The sink mounts to a bracket on the wall and sets on top of the stand.

1. Make sure your wall is strong enough to bolt the sink into. If it is only drywall or plaster you might want to install a blocking device under the wall surface to support the sink.

2. Freely set the basin in the position that you want it and prop it up with 2x4's so it is steady. Make sure the sink is steady and mark the position on your wall for your mounting holes both for the sink and the stand.

3. Drill holes corresponding to the marks drilled on your wall. Attach fasteners then your drain and faucet lines to the sink. Then attach your water supply lines to the faucet.

4. Now put the sink and stand back into position on the wall but only bolt the sink into place. Support the sink by your 2x4's and remove the stand from the sink.

5. Finish by attaching your drain and water supply lines and test for leaks

6. Move your stand into its final position and bolt it to the floor. If your pedestal sink doesn't require floor bolts then use adhesive chaulk.

7. To finish, caulk the joint between the sink and wall and smooth and blend.

Some of these steps can be rather complicated and DIY doesnt offer specific instructions. You can contact the other sites offered here in order to better explain how to attach you drain, faucet, and supply lines. If you're having alot of trouble..just call a plumber..thats why they are there!

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

I was trying to think of new ideas to blog about when our SEO intern Dan Moon led me to this awesome website. It's called Flavour Design and is located in Qualicum Beach, British Columbia in Canada. This company was founded by a woman named Elan in 1999. Flavour produces contemporary home accessories carried in North America and Europe. These pieces strive to be elegant and clever combined with a certain amount of functionality. Some of their products include cards, kitchen supplies, and living accessories. (I would definitely check these out....all of them are so creative)

The product I really want you to checkout is called the Savon and it is an antique clawfoot cast iron bath converted into a loveseat. Now we aren't saying you should deface a brand new tub; but if you have a tub that is old and isn't worth much why not make it into something more useful? This tub is upholstered in icy blue sensuede with matching down pillows. This piece is $2900.00 but most of the pieces in this collection go for around $4800.00

If you are a retailer and are interested in carrying the flavour collection you contact them here. Since only some of their products are on the website; they can provide you with images of each of the items in their collection here.

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

The five finalists are in and now it's time to cast your ballot! This prestigious honor has been bestowed upon public bathrooms since early 2002. Each year this award is presented by Cintas. The voting process ends July 31st and the winner will be announced in early August. (so get voting) The winner will receive a plaque of recognition and a place on America's Best Restroom "Hall of Fame" portion of the website.

And the nominees are:

Catch 31 located in Virginia Beach, Virginia located in the Virginia Beach Hilton Oceanfront. This bathroom has cool blue walls, high ceilings, mosaic tiles, and sports a nautical theme.

Fandangles' in Flushing Michigan. A bathroom for an artist; it has art decor hanging on the walls, fresh flowers adorning the sink and countertop, and a curtain that decorates the ceiling of each bathroom.

Jungle Jim's International Market in Fairfield Ohio. This bathroom is really creative. It has a door that looks like an entrance to a port- o- potty but when you open the door it reveals a spacious bathroom. It also has a jungle theme that decorates the hallways. (This one gets my vote because I love creative stuff)

Mix Lounge at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada. This bathroom is the favorite of people with contemporary style. This bathroom is equipped with sleek black walls, toilets, and fixtures. It also features an amazing view of the city right from your bathroom stall.

Vermont Marble Museum in Proctor Vermont. The main component in this bathroom is of course marble. All countertops, doors, floors, and stalls are marble all come in shades of black and white. It also has lacy curtains and flowers to soften this edgy design.

Intersted in casting a vote? Well click here and you can do it in one easy step.

Thursday, July 19, 2007

I absolutely love animals (especially dogs) but we all know how they hate to take a bath. I have a husky/ german sheperd mix named Sadie and it is always a big production to get her into the bathtub..plus she is extra furry so it doubles the mess and clean up time. However, the summer is the perfect time to tackle this messy and unpleasant task.

Here are a few things you will need:- pet shampoo- brush- towels- toys and treats

1. Collect all your materials before bath time. This way everything will be easy to find and within arms reach.

2. Groom their coat before bath time to loosen all the debris within their coat.

3. Decide whether the kitchen sink or bathtub is better. It usually is a question of size and convenience. If you have a small dog I would recommend the kitchen sink. The space is smaller and they might feel more comfortable. A larger dog would definitely feel more comfortable in a tub or even outside. If your dog is a little on the wild side you should use the tub because they will be less likely to jump out and hurt themselves.

4. Put a rubber mat or small towel down to prevent them from slipping.

5. Test the temperature of the water. Lukewarm would be the most comfortable.

6. Shampoo! Be careful not to get it in their eyes or ears. You will want to use a warm washcloth for these two areas.

7. Rinse. You want to do a thorough job because any leftover shampoo in the dog's coat will leave it dry, flaky, and itchy.

8. Dry as best you can. Or if you do it in the summer let the dog air dry or take them for a long walk. This will significantly reduce the drying time.

9. Reward! Give treats and lots of praise. This way they can associate bath time with lots of positive reinforcement.

Here is a great website filled with awesome gadgets on making bathtub time easier for you and your pets.

July showers....bring August flowers... and moldy bathrooms! Here is a little overview of how you can keep your bathroom dry and mold free during this hot and rainy season.

OK first off what is mold and what does it look like?

Mold is a fungus; molds are plants that make spores instead of seeds which float in the air like pollen. They are a common trigger for allergies. Molds are found in damp areas, such as the basement or bathroom, as well as in the outdoor environment in grass, leaf piles, hay, and mulch. The picture to the right depicts an extreme case of a moldy bathroom.

Here are some tips:

You should always keep the bathroom window closed and use a vent fan instead. If you leave the window open it will blow the moisture back into the room.

Use flooring like wood, ceramic, or tile. This way it can be easily wiped down after getting wet and use a bath mat when getting out of the shower. However, make sure you don't leave it permanently on the ground because that will increase your chances of mold. You should hang it up to dry after every use.

Use after shower rinses. (like Clean-Ez or Tilex Mold and Mildew Remover)These products are inexpensive and easy to use after every shower. This will prevent the increase of any soap scum or mold building up.

You should buy a dehumidifier to pull moisture out of the air preventing condensation build-up and mold on cold tile and porcelain surfaces.

Also take care of any leaks (little or small) and use grout sealer around the edges of your tub and sink; this will prevent mold from forming on your grout. Also stay away from potted plants because their soil is a breeding ground for mold.

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Global warming and the environment have recently become a hot topic of debate in 2007. Since this is a bathroom blog; I thought it would be beneficial to talk about eco-friendly bathroom cleaning supplies. I found this great website called Natural Choices; that gives you alot of information on safe cleaning supplies.

Why use products from Natural Choices?1. The products are non-toxic upon decomposition2. They are based on naturally derived raw materials3. No fillers

What products you should avoid:Products that contain chlorine, bleach, ammonia, petrochemicals, and VOC's. These products emit harmful chemicals into the air and may cause damage to the person using them or breathing them in. They also damage your air quality.

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Here are a few things on how to make asmallbathroom lookBIGGER!1. Always use lighter colors on your floors and walls. We all know dark colors close off your space and make it look smaller than it is. I would steer towards whites, grays, and beiges (but if you want a little color use light green or blue accent tiles) just nothing too dark.

2. Use a pedastal or wall mounted sink. They are a great and attractive way to save space. Just remember with these sinks you will have little or no counter space.

3. Choose simple solid patterns like glass and wood.

4. A large mirror. I know. Why would you want a large mirror in a small bathroom? Well, they reflect space and make a small bathroom seem roomier. Also you can try a recessed medicine cabinet. This way you get a mirror and extra storage space in one fixture.

5. Storage saving accessories. Eliminate all clutter. Wall hanging storage accessories are a great way to save counter top space and they conceal a lot of items in a little space.

6. Windows and skylights. The more light you have in your room the better. More light gives the illusion of additional space. Make sure you put the windows near the ceiling to avoid using up valuable storage space.

7. Pay attention to the little things. You should use a shower curtain instead of a glass sliding door. You can push the shower curtain over when your not using it so you can see the wall. This will give the illusion of more space.

8. Use your corners wisely. You can find cabinets and storage fixtures that will fit into angle styles.

9. Clear the extra floor space. Avoid protruding objects that stick out onto the bathroom floor. This will disrupt the flow of traffic through the bathroom and make the space look smaller.

10. Use crown molding. If you want the illusion of a higher bathroom ceiling you can use crown molding around the edges. However, make sure your ceiling and crown molding are painted the same color. This will create a more continuous flow through the room rather than a choppy broken up feel.

Just can't tell you how pleased I was to find your blog. The miracle of Google.In fear of boring you I will make this short and sweet. My son dug this tub up from our old horse property. Right now it's sitting on a cart at the sandblaster ( i did read your sandblasting blog) awaiting my further instructions. Although the picture makes the tub look very rusted it's not in terrible shape and worthy ( i hope) of a total rehab. My question: how do I know what size and type of feet to buy?It's a jungle out there for the 'tub-ignorant'. Any help you can give will be greatly appreciated. I will heed your learned advice.Thankful for your time, Jackie Thomas

Dear Jackie,

If you can make out the manufacturer's name and any numbers on the bottom of your tub; you can search architectural salvage yards in your area or find salvage yard listings at Salvage Web and Old House Web but this could take a lot of time because claw feet aremanufacturer and stylespecific. If you have any of the original feet that you could send to us; we can make hand cast reproductions from a silicone bronze which is stronger than cast iron and won't rust. We will send it to you with a wire-brushed cast bronze finish or for an extra charge, we can plate, prime or paint your feet to your specifications - call us toll free at 877-868-1369 for more information or to order this service. Click below to view details: http://www.vintagetub.com/asp/product_detail.asp?item_no=ccfoot

Monday, July 16, 2007

This will be my first contribution to the Daily Tubber and I can't be more excited about it. Today the hot topic has been tips on remodeling. I have looked around and found some very interesting tools to help with a bathroom remodeling project.

The most interesting tool I have found is the tool which allows you to take some pre-made bathrooms from the Bathroom Design Center at HGTV.com. Then adjust them to your liking. I found it to be very useful to match up some colors for your bathroom. It helps most matching up colors for your faucets and counter tops or your sinks and bathtubs. The Design Center at HGTV is centered around Kohler products. The picture to the right is the bathroom I designed today.

Some downsides to the Design Center is the choppy graphics of all the fixtures, you can't seem to make out all the details in the products that well. Also sometimes it is difficult for it to run on your computer properly. We had some difficulties on computers here for it to work consistently. You can't choose products other than Kohler so if you aren't a fan of Kohler then you won't be to pleased with this tool. Who doesn't love Kohler though. I couldn't change the tub faucet on the tub either which bummed me out a little but I'm over it.

Kohler also offeres a design tool on their website. Kohler's program goes into a little more depth than HGTV.com. Kohler allows you to customize your room size, and put in whatever Kohler products they have on their website into your bathroom. I did not have time to play around with this tool but it appeared to be really cool and useful.

Here is another shot of my bathroom design with the listings of the products I used in my design.

Refurbishment, restoration, redevelopment, renovate. Call it what you will but remodeling your bathroom can be expensive, time consuming, and stressful. With some help from Home and Garden Television; I found 10 steps that you should take to have a successful remodeling experience.

1. Inspiration. Use it. Get creative and think outside of the box. Inspiration can come from photos, TV, websites, or friends.

2. Budget$$$$. (Yes, you should stick to one). The average remodel costs around $26,052. Since this is always a large concern for consumers you can go to NARI where they can provide you with a budgeting worksheet. They also have awesome before and after photos to help with your creativity.

3. Hire a Contractor. Ask for help. Just make sure you check out their references. You don't want them to start your bathroom project and leave with your cash.

5. Durable Flooring. The bathroom creates a lot of foot traffic and is characterized by wet surfaces, high temperatures, and a great deal of humidity. An aesthetic appeal is important but shouldn't be the deciding factor. If your looking at flooring you should consider; tile, wood, seeing green, laminate, or vinyl. This way you can ensure your flooring will last as long as possible.

6. Countertops. These will take as much of a beating as your floor. You need to make sure you choose something that won't stain and is strong. Granite is always a number one choice because it comes in different shades and finishes.

7. Shower and Tub. Customization can turn an ordinary bathroom into an extraordinary one. There are so many options you have; you should take advantage of them. If vintage is your style. Well you can just order everything from us.

8. Fixtures..Fixtures...Fixtures. Pay attention to detail. There are great quality fixtures for your bathrooms and they can be the perfect accessory to your shower and tub.

9. Toilets. Size, height, and functionality are three factors to consider when choosing the right toilet for you. Oh yes, and comfort.

10. Proper Lighting. No one likes going into a bathroom where they are blinded with fluorescent light. Make sure you have several lighting structures to create a delicate contrast. The top four lighting types are task, ambient, accent, and decorative.

If you follow these steps you can have a beautiful stressless remodeling experience.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

We thought with all the recent blogging about funny news stories and unique toilets we could use this post to give you an update on our Community Giving Program. Last time we blogged about it we had donated to the local West Hazleton Fire Company. With that being a huge success our next project was Adopting A Horse from the Horses & Horizons Therapeutic Riding Center.

Horses & Horizons is located in Tamaqua, PA and is a non-profit organization. This program is staffed by volunteers and the owners (Harvey & Elaine Smith) who cover all the operating expenses by fundraising and receiving donations.

Horses & Horizons is a program for children and adults who have a wide variety of physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. The therapeutic riding center helps with coordination, balance, posture, attention span, concentration, speech, learning, and the forming of interpersonal relationships.

Vintage Tub and Bath recently made a donation to the Adpot-A-Horse-Program for this center and was named the proud parent of "Monkey Biz" a 26 year old horse that's been involved in the program since he was four years old.

Looking to get involved? There are many volunteer opportunities and ways to give. This week (July 9th-13th) there is a Horses & Horizons Summer Day Camp and volunteers are needed! You can also donate any amount or even sponsor your own horse.

Monday, July 09, 2007

You may think you have seen it all; but think again. In Chongqing China (a city founded 3,000 years ago) a new bathroom has come to our attention. This bathroom features more than 1,000 toilets and covers a total area of 32,290 square feet. At least you won't have to wait in line anymore! In addition to the numerous toilets; it also features an Egyptian decor with soothing music.

Some toilets are shaped as open crocodile mouths while others are topped with the bust of a woman resembling the Virgin Mary.

But the designs don't stop there. The sinks will also give you plenty of eye candy. They are sculptures of women's buttocks's! The buttocks's were originally naked but have been mysteriously covered up with ladies underwear. Hint taken.

City officials are looking to contact the Guinness Book of World Records to consider this free four story public bathroom as the world's largest. We wish them the best of luck!